Victorian Collection Under the Glass

By JESSICA AVERY
Programs Coordinator

During the Victorian period, people loved spending time in nature by painting, gardening, collecting flowers or simply exploring their surroundings. Even those in cities were encouraged to take up gardening or spend time outdoors for better health. Children especially loved exploring the areas around their homes and collecting items from nature like shells, flowers, seeds or butterflies. These natural specimens served as souvenirs and provided a physical connection to natural history.

We made this sample "Collection Under the Glass" during last year's summer history programs at the Museum.

Many families displayed their prized collections in their parlor under a glass dome, generally known as a "shade." These beautiful blown-glass shades were found in nearly every home, where they served as a showpiece and protected a variety of treasures. At times, these treasures and collections could be very elaborate and include artful displays of dried flowers, feathers, taxidermy, and even hairworks. Sometimes when a collection outgrew the dome it was moved to a larger space such as a cabinet or a “wonder room." These cabinets of curiosity held wondrous, extraordinary and sometimes oddities of the natural world.

Take a walk around your home or neighborhood to explore the natural world around you like children did centuries ago. Keep your eye open for wonderful treasures and specimens to fill your very own dome. Once it is finished you can display it for all to see in a special place inside of your home!

Make Your Own

Materials 

• Small glass bowl, jar or clear votive candleholder
• Pencil or pen
• Poster board (if not available, use cardboard or a thick piece of paper)
• Scissors
• Piece of fabric or felt
• Hot glue
• Small collected objects (leaves, feathers, flowers, shells, etc.)​

Directions 

1. Place the glass container upside down on the piece of poster board and trace around it.
2. Remove the glass and cut the paper around the outline.   
3. Wrap the poster board with fabric or felt. (If you don’t have any, that’s okay, too. Just color and decorate it with crayons or markers.)
4. Next, take some time to explore your backyard or go for a walk around your neighborhood to collect items form nature like flowers, interesting rocks, seeds and more. You can also look around your house and find special items you would like to place under your dome.  
5. Arrange your special collection on the piece of poster board. When you are happy with the design, have a parent help you glue down the items.  
6. Next, have a parent help you place glue around the edge of the paper and place the glass container upside down on the glue.
7. When the glue is dry, your collection under the glass is complete!